Introduction
The journey of Thomas Pesquet is a story of determination, hard work, and perseverance. Born in Rouen, France, in 1978, Thomas always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. His passion for space began when he was a child, watching spaceships fly across the sky, listening to the stories of astronauts who had visited space and imagining himself as one of them.
After completing his studies in engineering, Thomas pursued his dream of being an astronaut and joined the European Space Agency (ESA). Today, Thomas is a successful astronaut, having completed two space missions and spending 364 days in space.
This blog post tells the story of Thomas’s journey from Earth to space and back again, discussing the different aspects of his journey, his experiences, and the lessons he learned. So, let’s begin!
Section 1: The Preparation
Becoming an astronaut takes significant preparation. Before going to space, Thomas underwent rigorous training, which included learning how to operate spacecraft, living in isolation, and learning to communicate and work effectively as part of multinational teams.
Thomas also had to maintain his physical and mental health by exercising, following a strict diet, and receiving medical check-ups regularly.
Section 2: The Launch
On November 17, 2016, Thomas launched on his first space mission, heading to the International Space Station (ISS). He traveled on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, which took over two days to dock with the ISS.
As the spacecraft lifted off, Thomas feels the G-force, making it hard for him to move. He described the experience as feeling like a “bag of potatoes with straps.” But as the spacecraft entered orbit, Thomas started to feel weightless.
Section 3: Life in Space
Life in space is unique, and Thomas experienced it firsthand. He lived on the ISS for six months, performing scientific experiments, keeping the ISS maintained, and exercising daily to maintain his physical health.
One of the significant challenges of living in space is the lack of gravity. Everything floats in the air, and simple tasks like eating and sleeping require different approaches. Thomas also had to adjust to the 90-minute day and night cycle in space, which is very different from the 24-hour cycle on Earth.
Section 4: Walk-in Space
During his first space mission, Thomas had the opportunity to perform a spacewalk. Spacewalking is a physically demanding activity that requires a lot of preparation and training.
During his spacewalk, Thomas helped to install a new neutron-detecting instrument outside the ISS and performed other maintenance and repair tasks.
Section 5: Return to Earth
After his first space mission, Thomas returned to Earth on June 2, 2017, landing in Kazakhstan. His landing was tough and jarring, just like a car crash, taking a toll on his body.
However, Thomas talked about how special it felt to return to Earth and see things like trees, oceans, and streams that he missed while in space. He also appreciated little things like fresh air, the smell of flowers, and the feel of the wind on his face.
Section 6: The Second Space Mission
In April 2021, Thomas began his second space mission aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, heading to the ISS with a team of three other astronauts. This was the first time a European astronaut flew on a commercial spacecraft.
During his second mission, Thomas conducted scientific experiments, including growing plants in microgravity, working on robotic systems, and testing new spacewalk tools.
Section 7: The Homecoming
On May 2, 2021, Thomas returned to Earth, splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico. He described the sensation of returning to Earth as feeling like he was diving headfirst into a swimming pool.
Thomas’s journey of over six months in space had been filled with fantastic experiences, challenges, and personal growth. He felt privileged to have been part of an international team of astronauts who had accomplished great things.
FAQs
1. How long was Thomas Pesquet in space?
Thomas Pesquet has spent a total of 364 days in space, spread across two space missions.
2. When did Thomas Pesquet become an astronaut?
Thomas Pesquet joined the European Space Agency (ESA) as an astronaut in 2009.
3. What does an astronaut do in space?
Astronauts in space perform scientific experiments, keep spacecraft and space stations maintained, exercise daily, and work as part of multinational teams.
4. How do astronauts eat in space?
Astronauts eat food that is packaged in specially designed containers and can be rehydrated or heated. They also have to be careful not to let food and crumbs float around and damage equipment.
5. What is a spacewalk?
A spacewalk is a physically demanding activity where an astronaut leaves the spacecraft and works outside in space to perform maintenance, repair tasks, or scientific experiments.
6. How do astronauts adjust to life in space?
Astronauts have to adjust to a lack of gravity, a different day and night cycle, and a different environment. They undergo training in isolation, communication, teamwork, and maintaining physical and mental health.
7. What was Thomas Pesquet’s second space mission?
Thomas Pesquet’s second space mission was aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, heading to the International Space Station (ISS) with a team of three other astronauts.
Conclusion
Thomas Pesquet’s journey from Earth to space and back again has been a remarkable one. He has experienced unique challenges and opportunities, learned important lessons, and contributed to humanity’s progress in space exploration.
Thomas’s journey shows the importance of pursuing our dreams with determination and hard work. Whether we aim to be astronauts, scientists, artists, or entrepreneurs, we can achieve greatness by putting in the effort, preparing well, and learning from our experiences.
So, what are you waiting for? Pursue your dreams and reach for the stars!